DÌ‐7 ([7^th]) ZHĀNG (chapter)

Zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) Miàn·qián (face · before) Jiànjiàn (gradually) Zhǎng·dà (growing · big)
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1, 2. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zài (at) shénme ([what]) qíngkuàng (situation) xia (under) xiàng (to) Yǐsèliè (Israel’s) mín·zhòng (people · multitude) jiǎng·huà ({did speak} · words) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tāmen ([they]) xūyào ({did need}) gǎi·guò ({to change} · transgressions) ?

Cǐ·kè (this · moment) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) dìng·jīng (set · eyeballs) kàn·zhe ({to be look at} · -ing) yǎn·qián (eyes · before) de (’s) mín·zhòng (people · multitude) . Tāmen ([they]) yīn·wei (because · for) tīng·cóng ({had listened to} · {had followed}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) zhào·jí (summoning · assembling) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) cóng (from) Yǐsèliè (Israel) gè (each) dì (land) lái·dào ({had come} · to) Jíjiǎ (Gilgal) . Àn ({according to}) xiàn·dài (current · era) lì·fǎ (calendar · method) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , shí·jiān (time · within) dà·gài (largely · approximately) shì (was) 5 ({no. 5}) yuè (month) huò (or) 6 ({no. 6}) yuè (month) , zhèng·zhí (exactly · {happened to be}) hàn·jì (drought · season) . Mài ({wheat, etc.}) tián (fields) jīn·càncàn ({were golden} · {were brilliant}) de (’s) yí·piàn ({one [whole]} · {[mw] for stetches of land, etc.}) , tián (fields) li (inside) de (’s) xiǎomài ([wheat]) chà·bu·duō ({was differing by} · not · much [from]) kěyǐ ([being able]) shōu·gē ({to be harvested} · {to be cut}) le ([to completion]) . Guò·qu ({had passed} · {had gone}) jǐ·shí (few · {tens of}) nián (years) lái ([for the last ←]) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yì·zhí ({[in] one} · {straight [continuation]}) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-heartedly) shì·fèng ({had served} · {had attended to}) Shàngdì ([God]) , zuò (being) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) jiān (concurrently) shěn·pàn·guān (trying · judging · official) . Zhè (this) tiān ([day]) , lái·dào ({had come} · to) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel’s) miàn·qián (face · before) de (’s) mín·zhòng (people · multitude) dōu (all) yā·què ([even] crows · sparrows) ‐ wú·shēng ({were not having} · sound) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yào (needed) shuō ({to say}) shénme ([what]) , cái ({only then}) néng (could) lìng (cause) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) rén (people) huǐ·gǎi ({to repent} · {to change}) ne?

² Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) hái (still) méi (not) yì·shi ({did think} · {did know}) dào ({arriving at}) zìjǐ (selves) suǒ ({that which [they]}) fàn ({had committed}) de (’s) zuì (sin) yǒu (had) duō ({[how] much}) yán·zhòng ({being severe} · {being heavy}) . Tāmen ([they]) jiān·chí (firmly · holding) yào ({had asked}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) lì ({to set up}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) rén (human) zuò ({to be}) tāmen de ([their]) wáng (king) , què (but) kàn·bu·chū ({did see} · not · out) zhè (this) jiù (exactly) děng·yú ({was equal} · to) jù·jué (rejecting · {cutting off}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zuò (being) tāmen de ([their]) Wáng (King) . Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) què·shí (certainly · solidly) fēi·cháng (un·usually) bù (not) zūn·zhòng ({had respected} · {had assigned weightiness to}) tāmen de ([their]) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , yě (also) bù (not) zūn·zhòng ({had respected} · {had assigned weightiness to}) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) ! Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) dào·dǐ (to · bottom) yào (needed) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò ({to do}) , cái ({only then}) néng ({would be able}) shǐ ({to cause}) tāmen ([them]) huǐ·gǎi ({to repent} · {to change}) ne?

3, 4. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shuō·qǐ ({did speak of} · {did raise}) tā de ([his]) nián·qīng (years · light) suì·yuè (years · months) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zài (at) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) fāng·miàn (side · face) de (’s) bǎngyàng ([good example]) néng (can) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zào·fú (make · {blessings [for]}) wǒmen ([us]) ?

³ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) kāi·shǐ (opening · began) fā·yán ({to issue forth} · speech) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā (he) duì (to) mín·zhòng (people · crowd) shuō (said) : “Wǒ (I) yǐ·jing (already · {have gone through}) nián·lǎo (years · {being elderly}) ‐ fà·bái (hair · {being white}) ”. Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel’s) mǎn·tóu ({filled up} · head) de (’s) bái·fà (white · hair) wú·yí (no · doubt) shǐ (caused) tā de ([his]) huà (words) gèng (more) yǒu ({to have}) fèn·liàng (portion · quantity) . Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) tā (he) yòu (additionally) shuō (said) : “Wǒ (I) zì·yòu (since · childhood) jiù (then) yǐ·jing (already · {have gone through}) dàilǐng (leading) nǐ·men (you · [pl]) , zhí·dào (straight · {up until}) jīn·tiān (present · [day]) .” (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 11:14, 15; 12:2) Suī·rán (although · -ly) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) lǎo ({being old}) le ([to completion]) , dàn (but) tā (he) cóng (ever) méi·yǒu (not · had) wàng·jì (forgotten · {to remember}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) nián·qīng (years · light) suì·yuè (years · months) , tóng·nián (child · years) shí (time) de (’s) wǎng·shì (past · things) yī·jiù ({complying with} · {[what] was past})   (→ [as before]) lìlì·zài·mù ({passed through} · {to be in} · eyes)   (→ [clearly were in view]) . Tā (he) zài (in) chéng·zhǎng (becoming · grown) qī·jiān (period · within) suǒ ({those which [he]}) zuò ({had made}) de (’s) zhèng·què (proper · sound) xuǎnzé (choices) , shǐ ({had caused}) tā (him) néng·gòu ({to be able} · enough) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) ài·dài ({to love} · {to respect}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , bìng ({side by side with}) bǎo·chí ({to keep} · {to hold}) duì (towards) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) .

⁴ Suī·rán (although · -ly) dàduō·shù ([greater] · {number of}) rén (people) dōu (even) bù (not) zhōngzhēn ({were loyal}) , duì (towards) Shàngdì ([God]) méi·yǒu (not · {were having}) xìn·xīn (believing · hearts) , dàn (but) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) què (yet) jìxù (continued) xìn·lài ({to trust} · {to rely on}) Shàngdì ([God]) . Wǒmen ([we]) yě (also) shēnghuó (live) zài (in) yí (one) ge ([mw]) bú (not) xìn (believing) ér (and) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) de (’s) shì·jiè (world · extent) li (inside) , yào (want) zài (in) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) huán·jìng (surrounding · situation) zhōng (within) jìxù ({to continue}) xìn·lài ({to trust} · {to rely on}) Shàngdì ([God]) tóng·yàng (same · [way]) bù (not) róng·yì ({is permitting} · ease) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 18:8.) Ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) cóng (from) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) tóng·nián (child · years) shuō·qǐ ({speak of} · beginning) , kànkan (see) tā (he) zài (at) něi·xiē (which · {number of}) fāng·miàn (sides · faces) zhí·de ({is worth} · getting) wǒmen ([us]) xué·xí ({to imitate} · {to get practised with}) .

Xiǎo·shíhou (young · time) Shì·lì (serving · standing) zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) Miàn·qián (face · before) ˄

5, 6. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) tóng·nián (child · years) bìng (definitely) bù (not) píngfán ({were ordinary}) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tā de ([his]) fù·mǔ (father · mother) xiāng·xìn ([it] · believed) tā (he) yí·dìng ({[with] one} · {setting fixedly})   (→ [definitely]) huì (would) dé·dào (get · {arriving at}) hěn (very) hǎo (good) de (’s) zhàogu ({looking after}) ?

⁵ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yǒu (had) yí (one) ge ([mw]) hěn (very) bù (not) píngfán (ordinary) de (’s) tóng·nián (child · {[period of] years}) . Tā (he) yuēmo ([at about]) sān (three) suì ({years of age}) duàn·nǎi ({cut off} · milk) , jiù (then) lí·kāi (left · [clear of]) wèi·yú (location · {[was] at}) Lāmǎ (Ramah) de (’s) jiā (home) , bèi ([got]) sòng·dào (delivered · to) 30 duō ({more than ←}) gōnglǐ ([kilometres]) (20 duō ({more than ←}) yīnglǐ ([miles]) ) yǐ·wài (at · outside) de (’s) Shìluó (Shiloh) , kāi·shǐ (opening · began) zài (in) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) fú·wù ({to serve} · {to apply himself}) , yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) dōu (all) jìn·zhōng ({to the limit} · {to be loyal to}) zhí·shǒu (post · {to abide by}) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) Yǐlìjiāná (Elkanah) hé (and) Hāná (Hannah) jiāng (took) tā (him) xiàn·gěi ({to offer} · {to give to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , ràng (let) tā (him) yǐ ({according to}) yì (one) zhǒng ({kind of}) tè·bié (special · distinct) de (’s) fāng·shì (direction · style) shì·fèng (serve · {attend to}) Shàngdì ([God]) , jiù·shì (exactly · was) zhōng·shēng (whole · life) zuò (being) lí·sú·rén ({has left} · {[what’s] secular} · person)   (→ [Nazirite]) .* Zhè (this) shì (was) bu (not) shì (was) shuō ({to say}) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) bú (not) ài ({did love}) tā (him) , pāo·qì·le ({had left behind} · {had abandoned} · [to completion]) tā (him) ne?

⁶ Juéduì ([absolutely]) bú (not) shì (was) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) zhīdào ([knew]) érzi (son) zài (at) Shìluó (Shiloh) huì (would) dé·dào (get · {arriving at}) hěn (very) hǎo (good) de (’s) zhàogu ({looking after}) . Shǒu·xiān (first · before) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) jì·rán (since · -ly) chángcháng (constantly) liú (stayed) zài (at) Dà·jì·sī ([High] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [High] · [Priest]) Yǐlì (Eli) shēn·biān (body · beside) , Yǐlì (Eli) wú·yí (no · doubt) huì (would) què·bǎo (reliably · guarantee) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) dé·dào ({would get} · {arriving at}) shìdàng (appropriate) de (’s) zhàogu ({looking after}) . Cǐ·wài (this · outside) , nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) yě (also) yǒu (had) bù·shǎo (not · few) fùnǚ (women) shòu·dào (receiving · {arriving at}) dū·dǎo (supervising · leading) , zuò (doing) yì·xiē (one · {amount of}) gōng·zuò (work · doing) , xiézhù (assisting) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) gòng·zhí ({offered up} · duty)   (→ [held posts]) de (’) rén (people) . Tāmen ([they]) kàn·lái ({looking at} · {coming to be}) yě (also) huì (would) bāng·máng (help · {to be busy}) zhàogu ({looking after}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) . (Chū’āijíjì ([Exodus]) 38:8; Shìshī·jì ([Judges] · record) 11:34–40)

7, 8. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Nián (year) fù (again) yì (one) nián (year) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) rén’·ài (benevolent · loving) de (-ly) gǔ·lì (inspired · encouraged) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Xiànjīn (present) de (’s) fù·mǔ·men (fathers · mothers · [pl]) cóng (from) tāmen ([them]) shēn·shang ([selves] · upon) kěyǐ ([can]) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ?

⁷ Hāná (Hannah) hé (and) Yǐlìjiāná (Elkanah) cóng (ever) méi·yǒu (not · had) wàng·jì (forgotten · {to remember}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shì (was) tāmen ([their]) shēn (deeply) ài (loved) de (’s) tóu·shēng·zǐ (first · born · son) , yě (also) shì (was) Shàngdì ([God]) chuí·tīng (approaches · {to listen to}) rén (people) dǎo·gào (praying · requesting) de (’s) míng·zhèng (clear · proof) . Hāná (Hannah) céng·jīng (had · {gone through}) qí·qiú ({praying to} · entreating) Shàngdì ([God]) cìgěi ({to give to}) tā (her) yí (one) ge ([mw]) érzi (son) , hái (also) chéng·nuò ({had borne} · promise) rú·guǒ (if · {fruit (result) was}) zhēn (truly) néng (could) shēng·xia ({give birth to} · down) érzi (son) , jiù (then) huì (would) xiàn·gěi (offer · {to give to}) Shàngdì ([God]) , ràng (let) tā (him) zhōng·shēng (whole · life) wèi (for) Shàngdì ([God]) fú·wù (serve · {apply himself}) . Hāná (Hannah) niánnián ([every year]) dōu ({every one}) qù ({went to}) Shìluó (Shiloh) tànwàng ({to visit}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , ér·qiě (and · moreover) měi (each) cì (time) dōu ({every one}) dài (brought) yí (one) jiàn ([mw]) qīn·shǒu (self’s · hands) zuò (made) de (’s) wú·xiù (without · sleeves) wài·páo (exterior · robe) gěi ({to give to}) tā (him) , ràng ({to let}) tā (him) zài (in) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) gōng·zuò (work · doing) shí (times) chuān (wear) . Fù·mǔ (father · mother) lái (came) kàn ({to see}) tā (him) de (’s) shíhou (times) , xiǎo (little) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) fēi·cháng (un·usually) gāo·xìng ({was [with] high} · excitement) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) wú·yí (no · doubt) huì (would) jiào·dǎo (teach · guide) tā (him) , gāi (should) hǎohāor ({very well}) zhēn·xī (treasure · cherish) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) shì·fèng ({to serve} · {to attend to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) jīhuì (opportunity) . Fù·mǔ (father · mother) de (’s) zhūnzhūn ({earnest & tireless}) jiào·dǎo (teaching · guiding) , bìdìng (certainly) lìng (caused) tā (him) dà·shòu (greatly · {to receive}) gǔ·lì (inspiring · encouraging) .

⁸ Hāná (Hannah) hé (and) Yǐlìjiāná (Elkanah) shì (were) hǎo (good) bǎngyàng ([examples]) , hěn (very) zhí·de ({are worth} · getting) xiànjīn (present) de (’s) fù·mǔ·men (fathers · mothers · [pl]) xué·xí ({to imitate} · {to get practised with}) . Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , hěn (very) duō (many) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) dōu (even) zhǐ (only) zhuān·zhù (focus · concentration) yú (at) háizi (child) de (’s) wù·zhì (material · nature) xūyào (needs) , ér ({and yet}) hū·lüè (neglect · omit) tāmen de ([their]) shǔ·líng (of · spirit) xūyào (needs) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) fù·mǔ (father · mother) què (however) bù·tóng (not · {were the same}) , tāmen ([they]) zuì (most) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regarded) de (’s) shì (were) shǔ·líng (of · spirit) de (’s) shì (things) . Zhè (this) duì (towards) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yǒu (had) hěn (very) dà (big) de (’s) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influence]) , bāngzhù (helped) tā (him) rì·hòu ([in the] days · afterwards) chéng·wéi ({to become} · {to be}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) zhōng·xìn (faithful · true) de (’s) rén (person) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Zhēnyán ([Proverbs]) 22:6.)

9, 10. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Qǐng (please) miáo·shù (depict · state)   (→ [describe]) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) shì (was) zěn·me·yàng (how · [so] · [way]) de (’s) . ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .) (Yǐ) (([b])) Qǐng (please) shuōshuo ({speak of}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) duì (towards) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shén·shèng (godly · holy) de (’s) dìfang ([place]) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) gǎn·jué (feelings · awareness) . (Bǐng) (([c])) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) zuò (did) shénme ([what]) gōng·zuò (work · doing) ? (Dīng) (([d])) Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) de (’s) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · persons) kěyǐ ([can]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) tā (him) ?

⁹ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zhǎng·dà (grew · big) yì·diǎnr (a · bit) hòu ({after ←}) , hěn (very) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) chángcháng (often) shàng ({to go up to}) Shìluó (Shiloh) zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) de (’s) shān·gāng (hill · ridge) , cóng (from) shān (hills) shàng (upon) fǔ·kàn ({to bow} · {to look down upon}) Shìluó (Shiloh) hé (and) chéng (town) xià (under) de (’s) shān·gǔ (hill · valley) . Dāng (when) tā (he) kàn·dào (saw · reaching) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) shí (times) , xiǎng·bì (think · {must be}) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) yòu (also) gāo·xìng ({was [with] high} · excitement) yòu (also) zì·háo (self · {was bold & unconstrained})   (→ [was proud of it]) . Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) zài (at) dà·yuē (largely · approximately) sì·bǎi (four · hundred) nián (years) qián ({before ←}) yóu (by) Móxī (Moses) qīn·zì (personally · self) dū·dǎo (supervising · leading) jiànzào ({had been constructed}) , shì (was) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) shì·shàng (world · upon) wéi·yī (only · one) cóngshì ({engaged in}) zhèng·què (right · true) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) zhōng·xīn (central · heart) , díquè (truly) shì (was) ge ([mw]) shén·shèng (godly · holy) de (’s) dìfang ([place]) .*

¹⁰ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) hái·shi (still · was) háitóng (child) de (’s) shíhou (time) , jiù (then) hěn ({very much}) xǐ’·ài (liked · loved) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) le ([to completion]) . Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) tā (he) suǒ ({that which [he]}) xiě (wrote) de (’s) jìzǎi (record) kěyǐ ([can]) kàn·chū (see · out) zhèi (this) diǎn (point) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures) shuō (say) : “ Nà ({[at] that}) shíhou (time) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) hái·shi (still · was) ge ([mw]) xiǎo·háir (young · child) , chuān·zhe (wear·ing) xìmá ([linen]) shèng·guà (holy · [unlined garment])   (→ [ephod]) , shì·lì (serving · standing) zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) miàn·qián (face · before) .” (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:18) Shèng·guà (holy · [unlined garment])   (→ [ephod]) shì (was) jiàn ([mw]) wú·xiù (without · sleeves) wài·páo (exterior · robe) , biāo·míng (marking · clearly) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) gōng·zuò (work · did) , shì (was) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs])   (→ [priests]) de (’s) zhù·shǒu (helping · hand) , jǐnguǎn ([even though]) tā (he) bú (not) shì (was) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs]’)   (→ [priests’]) jiā·zú (family · clan) de (’s) rén (person) . Tā (he) kěnéng ([possibly]) fù·zé (bore · responsibility) zài (in) zǎo·shang (morning · {rising [of the sun in the sky]}) kāi·mén ({to open} · doors) , yǐjí ([as well as]) shì·hòu ({to attend to} · {to wait upon}) nián·mài (years · aged) de (’s) Yǐlì (Eli) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) hěn ({very much}) xǐ·huan (liked · enjoyed) zhèi·xiē (this · {amount of}) gōng·zuò (work · doing) . Dàn (but) méi (not) duō ({much more of a}) jiǔ ({long time}) , shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) fā·shēng·le ({issued forth} · {came to life} · [to completion]) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) huài·shì (bad · things) , lìng (causing) xīn·dì (heart · soil) chún·jié (pure · clean) de (’s) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shí·fēn (ten · portions) bù’·ān (not · {to be at ease}) .

Chū ({coming out of}) Wū·ní (dirty · mud) ér ({and yet}) Bù (not) Rǎn ({being soiled}) ˄

11, 12. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) shénme ([what]) è·liè (bad · inferior) de (’s) tàidu (attitude) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Tāmen ([they]) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) zuò·le (did · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) xié’·è (evil · wicked) hé (and) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) de (’s) shì (things) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

¹¹ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) nián·jì (years · age) hái (still) xiǎo ({was small}) shí (time) , jiù (then) kàn·jian ({had looked at} · {had seen}) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) fēi·cháng (un·usually) xié’·è (evil · wicked) hé (and) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) de (’s) shì (things) . Yǐlì (Eli) yǒu (had) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) , jiào (called) Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) jìzǎi (record) xiě·dào (wrote · said) : “Yǐlì (Eli) de (’s) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) shì (were) wú·lài·hàn (no · {relying on} · men) , bú (not) jìng·zhòng ({did respect} · {did treat as weighty}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ”. (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:12) Zhèi (this) jié ([verse of]) jīng·wén (scripture · writings) de (’) qián·hòu ({before ←} · {after ←}) liǎng (two) jù (phrases) shì (are) yǒu (having) yīn (cause) ‐ guǒ ({fruit (result)}) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) de (’s) . Jīng·wén (scripture · writings) shuō (say) , Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) bèi ([got]) chēng·wéi (called · as) “ wú·lài·hàn (no · {relying on} · men) ” (zài (in) yuán·yǔ (original · language) zhōng (within) yě (also) yǒu (had) bēi·bǐ (low · mean) xiǎo·rén (small · persons) de (’) yì·si (meaning · thought) ), yīn·wei (because · for) tāmen ([they]) háo·bù ({a hair} · not) zūn·zhòng ({had respected} · {had assigned weightiness to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , méi·yǒu (not · had) jiāng (taken) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) zhèngyì (righteous) biāo·zhǔn (marks · standards) hé (and) yāo·qiú (demandings · requestings)   (→ [requirements]) fàng ({to put}) zài (in) yǎn (eyes) li (inside) . Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) suǒ ({that which [they]}) xiǎn (displayed) de (’s) è·liè (bad · inferior) tàidu (attitude) , cù·shǐ (urged · caused) tāmen ([them]) zuò·le ({to do} · [to completion]) hěn (very) duō (many) huài·shì (bad · things) .

¹² Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) duì·yú (towards · {with regard to}) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs])   (→ [priests]) de (’) zhí·zé (duties · responsibilities) hé (and) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs])   (→ [priests]) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) xiàn·jì ({to offer} · {to offer sacrifices}) de (’) fāng·shì (direction · style) , dōu (even) yǒu (had) míng·què (clear · certain) de (’s) guī·dìng (rules · determined) . Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) guī·dìng (rules · determined) shì (were) yǒu (having) chōng·fèn (ample · {portion of}) lǐ·yóu (reason · cause) de (’s) , yīn·wei (because · for) xiàn·gěi (offered · {to give to}) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) jì·wù ({offered as sacrifices} · things) yù·shì ({in advance} · showed) Shàngdì ([God]) wèi·le (for · [to completion]) kuān·shù (generously · forgiving) rén (people) de (’s) zuì (sins) ér (thus) ān·pái ({would place} · {would arrange}) de (’s) shú·jià (ransom · price) . Wéi·yǒu (only · having) dé·dào (getting · {arriving at}) Shàngdì ([God]) shù·zuì (forgiving · sins) , rén (humans) cái ({only then}) méng (receive) Shàngdì ([God’s]) shì·wéi (regarding · as) jiéjìng (clean) , yě (also) méng (receive) tā (him) cì (granting) fú (blessings) hé (and) zhǐ·yǐn (pointing · leading) . Kěshì ([however]) , Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) wánquán (completely) bù (not) zūn·zhòng ({did respect} · {did assign weightiness to}) jì·wù ({offered as sacrifices} · things) , yǐ·zhì ({because of} · cause) qí·tā (them · besides’) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs])   (→ [priests]) yě (also) gēn·zhe ({were follow-} · -ing) zuò ({to do}) .*

13, 14. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) fā·shēng ({issued forth} · {came to life}) de (’s) è·shì (wicked · things) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) shǐ (caused) chéng·xīn (sincere-·hearted) ‐ chéng·yì (sincere-·intentioned) de (’s) rén (people) shòu·hài ({to receive} · harm) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Yǐlì (Eli) méi·yǒu (not · had) hǎohāor ({very well}) lǚ·xíng ({carried out} · done) fù·qin (father · relative) hé (and) dà·jì·sī ([high] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [high] · [priest]) de (’s) zé·rèn (responsibilities · {to be assumed}) ?

¹³ Nián·yòu (years · young) de (’s) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) kàn·jian ({had looked at} · {had seen}) jì·sī·men ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs] · [pl])   (→ [priests] · [pl]) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) làn·yòng (indiscriminately · using)   (→ [abusing]) zhí·quán (official · authority) , sì·wú·jì·dàn (unbridled · without · fear · dread) , què (yet) méi·yǒu (not · {was having}) rén (person) jiū·zhèng (correcting · right) wèn·tí (asking · problems) , kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) huì (would) hěn ({very much}) chī·jīng (eat · {being startled}) . Yǎn·jiàn (eyes · seeing) yí (one) ge ([mw]) yòu (again) yí (one) ge ([mw]) pínqióng (poor) bēi·wēi (low · {very small}) , bǎo·shòu (fully · {had been subjected to}) yā·pò (pressing · coercing) de (’s) rén (person) lái·dào (coming · to) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) , xīwàng (hoping) cóng (from) zhèng·què (right · true) chóngbài (worship) huò·dé ({to obtain} · {to get}) ān·wèi (calming · comforting) hé (and) lì·liang (strength · quantity) , dàn (but) dé·dào ({would get} · {arriving at}) de (’s) què (however) shì (were) shī·wàng (lost · hope) , shāng·hài (injury · harm) hé (and) xiū·rǔ (shame · disgrace) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) gǎn·shòu (feeling · receiving) ne? Dāng (when) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zhīdào ([knew]) Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) miǎo·shì ({with despising} · regarded) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) lǜfǎ (laws) , gēn (with) zài (at) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) fú·wù (serving · {apply themselves}) de (’s) fù·rén (women · persons) gǒu·hé ({indifferently [to right & wrong]} · {joined [sexually]}) shí (times) , yòu (moreover) zěn·me (how · [so]) xiǎng ({did think}) ne? (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:22) Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) tā (he) hěn ({very much}) xīwàng (hoped) Yǐlì (Eli) chū·shǒu ({would reach out} · hand) jiū·zhèng ({to correct} · right) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) wèn·tí (asking · problems) .

¹⁴ Yào (needing) chǔ·lǐ ({to handle} · {to manage}) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) yuè·lái·yuè ({jumping over} · coming · {jumping over})   (→ [more and more]) yán·zhòng (severe · heavy) de (’s) wèn·tí (asking · problems) , Yǐlì (Eli) de (’s) zé·rèn (responsibility · {to be assumed}) zuì (most) dà ({was great}) . Shēn·wéi ([self] · being) dà·jì·sī ([high] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [high] · [priest]) , tā (he) bìxū (needed) wèi (for) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) fā·shēng ({issued forth} · {came to life}) de (’s) shì (things) fù·zé ({to bear} · responsibility) ; shēn·wéi ([self] · being) fù·qin (father · relative) , tā (he) yǒu (had) zé·rèn (responsibility · {to be assumed}) jiū·zhèng ({to correct} · right) fàn ({had committed}) guò (transgressions) de (’) érzi (sons) , gèng (furthermore) hé·kuàng ({[consider] what} · situation)   (→ [let alone that]) tā (his) érzi (sons) suǒ ({those which [they]}) zuò ({were doing}) de (’s) shì (things) jì (both) shāng·hài ({were injuring} · {were harming}) zìjǐ (selves) , yě (also) shāng·hài ({were injuring} · {were harming}) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) . Rán’ér (but) , Yǐlì (Eli) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · had) hǎohāor ({very well}) lǚ·xíng ({carried out} · done) zhèi (these) liǎng (two) fāng·miàn (sides · faces) de (’) zé·rèn (responsibilities · {to be assumed}) , zhǐ·shì (only · was) qīng·miáo (lightly · tracing) ‐ dàn·xiě (blandly · writing) de (-ly) zé·bèi (reproving · preparing) yí·xià (one · {going down})   (→ one · [time]) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) jiù (then) suàn ({[completely] was calculated}) le ([to completion]) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:23–25.) Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) qí·shí (their · actuality) bìxū (needed) shòu·dào ({to receive} · {arriving at}) gèng (more) yán·lì (strict · severe) de (’s) guǎn·jiào (discipline · teaching) cái ({only then}) duì ({would be right}) . Yào (must) zhīdào ([know]) , tāmen ([they]) suǒ ({those which [they]}) fàn ({had committed}) de (’s) dōu (even) shì (were) sǐ·zuì (dying · sins) a!

15. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) xiàng (to) Yǐlì (Eli) xuānbù·le (announced · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) xìn·xī (message · news) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yǐlì (Eli’s) yì ({one [whole]}) jiā (family) duì (towards) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xìn·xī (message · news) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · response) ?

¹⁵ Yóu·yú ({because of} · by) shì·tài (affairs · condition) shí·fēn (ten · portions) yán·zhòng ({being severe} · {being heavy}) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) pài·le (dispatch·ed) yí (one) ge ([mw]) shǐ·zhě (messenger · person) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) Yǐlì (Eli) , xuānbù ({to announce}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) cuò·cí ({arranging of} · words) yán·lì (strict · severe) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) xìn·xī (message · news) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) chì·zé (reprimanded · reproved) Yǐlì (Eli) zūn·zhòng (respecting · {assigning weightiness to}) érzi (sons) guò·yú (surpassing · {compared to}) zūn·zhòng (respecting · {assigning weightiness to}) tā (him) , bìng ({side by side with}) yù·gào (fore·telling) Yǐlì (Eli) de (’s) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) huì (would) zài (at) tóng (same) yì (one) tiān ([day]) sǐwáng (die) , ér (and) Yǐlì (Eli) de (’s) jiā·zú (family · clan) yě (also) huì (would) zāo·shòu (encounter · receive) zāihuò (calamity) , shèn·zhì (greatly · {to the point of}) huì (would) sàngshī (lose) dāng ({serving as}) jì·sī ({offering sacrifices} · manage[rs])   (→ [priests]) de (’) shū·róng (special · honour) . Jiē·huò (received · obtained) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) hòu ({after ←}) , Yǐlì (Eli) hé (and) tā de ([his]) jiā·rén (family · persons) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) huǐ·gǎi (repented · changed) ne? Cóng (from) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) de (’s) jìzǎi (record) , wǒmen ([we]) kàn·bu·chū (see · not · out) tāmen ([they]) yǒu (had) rèn·hé ({no matter} · what)   (→ [any]) huǐ·yì ({to repent} · wishing) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:27–3:1)

16. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Guān·yú (relating · to) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) chéng·zhǎng (becoming · grown) , wǒmen ([we]) dú·dào (read · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) jìzǎi (records) lìng (makes) nǐ (you) gǎn·dào (feel · {arriving at}) xīn·wèi (joyful · comforted) ma? Qǐng (please) jiěshì (explain) .

¹⁶ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shēnghuó (lived) zài (in) yí (one) ge ([mw]) zhè·me (this · [so]) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) de (’s) huán·jìng (surrounding · situation) zhōng (within) , yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) xué·huài (learned · {to be bad}) ne? Suī·rán (although · -ly) zhèi (this) duàn ({section of}) jìzǎi (records) dà (greater) bù·fen (section · portion) xiě ({were written}) de (’s) dōu (even) shì (were) huài·rén (bad · people) huài·shì (bad · things) , dàn (but) dāng·zhōng (at · within) yě (also) tí·dào (raised · {arriving at})   (→ [mentioned]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) chéng·zhǎng (becoming · grown) hé (and) jìn·bù (advancing · steps)   (→ [progress]) , zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) zhèng·miàn (positive · face) de (’s) jìzǎi (records) fǎngfú ({are like}) yí·dào·dào (one · streak · streak) chuān·tòu ({piercing through} · thoroughly) hēi’·àn (blackness · darkness) de (’) guāng·máng (light · {awns of wheat})   (→ light · [rays]) , lìng (making) rén (people) xīn·xǐ (joyful · happy) . Zhèng·rú (just · like) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:18 shuō (says) , xiǎo·háir (young · child) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) de (-ly) “ shì·lì ({[was] serving} · {[was] standing}) zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) miàn·qián (face · before) ”. Tā (he) xiǎoxiǎo ({was small}) nián·jì (years · age) , jiù (then) yǐ·jing (already · {was going through}) zhuān·xīn ([with] focused · heart) shì·fèng (serving · {attending to}) Shàngdì ([God]) le ([to completion]) . Tóng (same) yì (one) zhāng (chapter) dì‐21 ([21^st]) jié ([verse]) de (’s) jīng·wén (scripture · writings) , lìng (make) rén (people) gèng (more) gǎn·dào (feel · {arriving at}) xīn·wèi (joyful · comforted) . Jīng·wén (scripture · writings) shuō (say) : “Háitóng (child) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) miàn·qián (face · before) , jiànjiàn (gradually) zhǎng·dà ({was growing} · big) .” Suí·zhe ({go along with} · -ing) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) jiànjiàn (gradually) chéng·zhǎng (becoming · grown) , tā (his) gēn (with) Tiān·fù (heavenly · Father) de (’s) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) yě (also) yuè·fā ({jumped ahead} · {to send out}) láo·gù ({being firm} · {being solid}) . Zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) jǐyǔ (gave) tā (him) hěn (very) dà (great) de (’s) lì·liang (strength · quantity) , shǐ (caused) tā (him) néng·gòu ({to be able} · enough) dǐkàng ({to resist}) yíqiè ([all]) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) de (’s) yǐng·xiǎng (relfections · sounds)   (→ [influences]) .

17, 18. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Nián·qīng (years · light) de (’s) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) kěyǐ ([can]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , qù ({to go}) miànduì ({to face}) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) xié’·è (evil · wicked) de (’s) shì (things) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wǒmen ([we]) zěn·me (how · [so]) zhīdào ([know]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zuò·le (made · [to completion]) zhèng·què (proper · sound) de (’s) xuǎnzé (choice) ?

¹⁷ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) běn (originally) kěyǐ ([could]) zhè·me (this · [so]) xiǎng ({have thought}) : “ Jì·rán (since · -ly) dà·jì·sī ([high] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [high] · [priest]) de (’s) érzi (sons) dōu (even) zuò ({have done}) huài·shì (bad · things) , dà·jì·sī ([high] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [high] · [priest]) yě (also) zòng·róng ({was indulging} · {was tolerating}) tāmen ([them]) , nà·me (that · [so]) wǒ (I) yě (also) kěyǐ ([can]) xiǎng (want) zuò ({to do}) shénme ([what]) jiù (then) zuò (do) shénme ([what]) .” Dàn (but) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) méi·yǒu (not · had) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) xiǎng (thought) . Méi (not) cuò (wrong) , jiù·suàn (even · figuring) bié·ren (other · people) zuò ({were doing}) bú·duì (not · right) de (’s) shì (things) , jiù·suàn (even · figuring) shēn ([selves]) jū ({were occupying}) yào·zhí (important · posts) de (’) rén (people) qí (their) shēn ([selves]) bú (not) zhèng ({were upright}) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yě (even) méi·yǒu (not · had) rèn·wéi (identified · {as being}) zìjǐ (self) kěyǐ ([could]) gēn·zhe ({be follow-} · -ing) fàn·zuì ({to commit} · sin) . Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , xǔ·duō (numbers · many) nián·qīng (years · light) de (’s) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) dōu (even) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) . Jí·shǐ ({even though} · if) shēn·biān ([selves] · beside) de (’s) rén (people) xíngwéi (acts) bú·dàng (not · {are proper}) , tāmen ([they]) réng (still) nǔ·lì (exert · power) gēn (with) Tiān·fù (heavenly · Father) bǎo·chí ({to keep} · {to hold}) qīnmì (close) de (’s) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) , “zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah’s) miàn·qián (face · before) , jiànjiàn (gradually) zhǎng·dà (growing · big) ”.

¹⁸ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) fúcóng (obeyed) Shàngdì ([God]) , zhè (this) dài·lái (brought · {to come}) shénme ([what]) hǎo (good) jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [result]) ne? Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (say) : “Háitóng (child) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) rì·jiàn (daily · gradually) zhǎng·dà ({was growing} · big) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hé (and) rén (men) dōu (both) yuè·fā ({were jumping ahead} · {to send out}) xǐ’·ài (liking · loving) tā (him) .” (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 2:26) Jīng·wén (scripture · writings) xiǎn·shì (evidently · show) , xǔ·duō (numbers · many) rén (people) dōu (even) xǐ’·ài (liked · loved) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , bāokuò (including) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) duì (to) tā (him) hěn (very) zhòng·yào ({were weighty} · {were important}) de (’s) rén (people) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zìjǐ (self) yě (also) hěn ({very much}) zhēn’·ài ({highly valued} · loved) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) zhōngzhēn (loyal) de (’s) xiǎo (small) nán·háir (male · child) . Duì·yú (towards · {with regard to}) zài (at) Shìluó (Shiloh) fā·shēng ({issuing forth} · {coming to life}) de (’s) è·shì (wicked · things) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shēn·xìn (deeply · believed) Shàngdì ([God]) bìdìng (certainly) huì (would) chǔ·lǐ (handle · manage) , zhǐ·shì (only · was) bù (not) zhīdào ([did know]) Shàngdì ([God]) huì (would) zài (at) shénme ([what]) shíhou (time) cǎi·qǔ (adopt · take) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) ér·yǐ (and · finishing)   (→ [that’s all]) . Yì (one) tiān ([day]) yè·li (night · inside) , jiě·jué ({to solve} · {to decide}) wèn·tí (asking · problems) de (’) shíhou (time) zhōng·yú (finally · at) dào (arrived) le ([indicates a change]) .

“ Qǐng (please) Shuō (speak) ba ([indicates a suggestion]) , Pú·rén (servant · person) Gōng·tīng (respectfully · {is listening}) ” ˄

19, 20. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yí (one) ge ([mw]) wǎn·shang (evening · upon) , zài (in) shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) shì (thing) fā·shēng ({issue forth} · {come to life}) zài (at) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel’s) shēn·shang ([self] · upon) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yǐ·wéi (took · as) shì (was) shéi (whom) gēn (with) tā (him) shuō·huà (speaking · words) ? (Bǐng) (([c])) Tā (he) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·dài ({did treat} · {did dealt with}) Yǐlì (Eli) ?

¹⁹ Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) shì (was) líng·chén (approaching · dawn) shí·fèn (time · component) , tiān (sky) hái (still) méi (not) liàng ({was bright}) , shèng·mù (holy · tent)   (→ [tabernacle]) li (inside) nà (that) gāodà (tall · big) de (’s) dēngtái (lamp·stand) shang (upon) , huǒ·guāng (fire · light) shǎn·shuò ({was flashing} · brightly) , hū·míng (suddenly · bright) ‐ hū’·àn (suddenly · dark) . Zài (at) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jì·jìng (quiet · still) de (’s) shí·kè (time · moment) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) hū·rán (sudden·ly) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) yì (one) bǎ ([mw]) shēngyīn (voice) hūhuàn (calling) tā de ([his]) míng (name) . Tā (he) yǐ·wéi (took · as) shì (was) Yǐlì (Eli) jiào (calling) tā (him) , jiù (then) cóng (from) chuáng (bed) shàng ({got up}) qǐ·lai (up · {to come}) , pǎo·dào (ran · to) Yǐlì (Eli) nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) qù ({to go}) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) Yǐlì (Eli) yǐ·jing (already · {was going through}) hěn ({very much}) lǎo ({being old}) , yǎn·jing (eye · eyeballs) yě (also) chà·bu·duō ({were differing by} · not · much [from]) quán (completely) xiā (blind) le ([to completion]) . Shì (try) xiǎngxiang ({to think about}) , xiǎo (little) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) huòxǔ (perhaps) lián (even) xié (shoes) yě (even) méi (not) chuān ({had put on}) , jiù (then) guāng·zhe ([with] {were bare} · [be]ing) jiǎo (feet) pǎo·dào ({was running} · to) Yǐlì (Eli) nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) , kàn ({to see}) tā (he) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) xūyào (need) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) réng·rán (still · -ly) nà·me (that · [so]) zūnjìng (respected) hé (and) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) Yǐlì (Eli) , bú (not) shì (is) lìng (making) rén (people) hěn (very) gǎn·dòng (feel · moved) ma? Shuō·dào·dǐ (speaking · {arriving at} · bottom) , Yǐlì (Eli) suī·rán (although · -ly) yán·zhòng (severely · heavily) shī·zhí ({was neglecting} · duty) , dàn (but) tā (he) bì·jìng (finishing · {in the end}) hái·shi (still · was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) dà·jì·sī ([high] · {offering sacrifices} · manage[r])   (→ [high] · [priest]) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 3:2–5)

²⁰ Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) nòng·xǐng (made · {to be awake}) Yǐlì (Eli) , duì (to) tā (him) shuō (said) : “ Nǐ (you) hūhuàn (called) wǒ (me) , wǒ (I) zài ({am at}) zhè·lǐ (this · inside)   (→ [here]) .” Yǐlì (Eli) què (however) shuō (said) méi·yǒu (not · had) hūhuàn·guo (called · {[in the] past}) tā (him) , jiào (asked) tā (him) huí·qu ({to circle back} · {to go}) shuì·jiào ({to sleep} · sleep) . Kěshì ([however]) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yí (one) cì (time) yòu (again) yí (one) cì (time) de (-ly) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) tóng·yàng (same · kind) de (’s) hūhuàn (calling) , yě (also) yí (one) cì (time) yòu (again) yí (one) cì (time) de (-ly) pǎo (ran) qù ({to go}) zhǎo ({to look for}) Yǐlì (Eli) . Zuì·hòu (most · afterwards) , Yǐlì (Eli) míng·bai (understood · clearly) shì (was) shénme ([what]) yuán·yīn (origin · cause) le ([indicates a change]) . Zài (in) nèi (that) duàn ({section of}) rì·zi (days · [suf]) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hěn (very) shǎo (seldom) xiàng (to) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) chuándá (conveyed) yì·xiàng (extraordinary · image)   (→ [vision]) huò (or) shuō (spoke) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) , zhè (this) xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) gēn (with) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) zài (at) Shìluó (Shiloh) fā·shēng ({were issuing forth} · {were coming to life}) de (’s) è·shì (wicked · things) yǒu·guān (had · relation) . Yǐlì (Eli) kàn·chū (saw · out) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) xiàng (to) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) shuō·huà ({was speaking} · words) le ([indicates a change]) , ér (and) zhèi (this) cì (time) jìng·rán (unexpected·ly) tōng·guò (through (adv) · passing) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xiǎo (small) nán·háir (male · child) ! Yǐlì (Eli) jiào (asked) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) huí·qu ({to circle back} · {to go}) shuì·jiào ({to sleep} · sleep) , bìng ({side by side with}) gàosu (telling) tā (him) rúguǒ ([if]) zài (again) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) nà (that) bǎ ([mw]) shēngyīn (voice) , kěyǐ ([could]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) huí·dá ({[in] return} · answer) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zhào·zhe (accord·ing[ly]) qù (went) zuò ({to do}) . Tā (he) yòu (again) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) yǒu (had) shēngyīn (voice) hūhuàn (calling) tā (him) , shuō (saying) : “Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) ! Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) !” Tā (he) jiù (then) huí·dá ({[in] return} · answered) : “ Qǐng (please) shuō (speak) ba ([indicates a suggestion]) , pú·rén (servant · person) gōng·tīng (respectfully · {is listening}) .” (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 3:1, 5–10)

21. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) wǒmen ([we]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) tīng·jian (hear · meeting) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shuō·huà (speaking · words) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (must) tīng·cóng ({listen to} · follow) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ?

²¹ Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zhōng·yú (finally · at) zài (in) Shìluó (Shiloh) zhǎo·dào ({looked for [and]} · {arrived at}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) lè·yì ([with] happy · intention) tīng·cóng ({to listen to} · {to follow}) tā (him) de (’s) pú·rén (servant · person) le ([indicates a change]) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) dōu (all) tīng·cóng ({listened to} · followed) Shàngdì ([God]) , nǐ (you) yě (also) yí·yàng ({are [of] one} · kind) ma? Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , wǒmen ([we]) bù (not) xūyào ({do need}) děng·dào ({to wait} · until) Shàngdì ([God]) zài (at) yè·wǎn (night · evening) cóng (from) tiān·shàng (heaven · above) xiàng (to) wǒmen ([us]) shuō·huà (speaks · words) , ér ({but [rather]}) shì (are) shí·kè ({[all the] time} · {[every] moment}) dōu (all) néng (able) tīng·jian ({to hear} · meeting) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) shēngyīn (voice) , yīn·wei (because · for) wǒmen ([we]) kěyǐ ([can]) dú·dào (read · {arriving at}) zhěng (entire) běn ([mw for books]) Shèngjīng ([Bible]) . Shèngjīng ([the Bible]) shì (is) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) Huàyǔ (Word) , wǒmen ([we]) yuè ({jumping over})   (→ [the more]) nǔ·lì (exert · power) tīng·cóng ({to listen to} · {to follow}) Shàngdì ([God]) , duì (towards) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) jiù (then) huì (will) yuè ({jumping over})   (→ [the more]) jiān·qiáng ({be firm} · {be strong}) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) jiù·shì (exactly · was) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) jiànlì (established) de (’s) .

22, 23. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) qǐ·chū (rising · beginning) bù·gǎn (not · {did dare}) xuānbù ({to announce}) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) xìn·xī (message · news) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) shí·xiàn (solidly · appeared)   (→ [came true]) le ([to completion]) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yuè·lái·yuè ({jumping over} · coming · {jumping over})   (→ [more and more]) duō ({large numbers of}) rén (people) zhīdào ([did know]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shì (was) ge ([mw]) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) ?

²² Nèi·ge (that · [mw]) wǎn·shang (evening · upon) fā·shēng ({issued forth} · {came to life}) de (’s) shì (things) , shǐ (caused) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) yǒu·le ({to have} · [to completion]) zhòng·dà (weighty · big) de (’s) gǎibiàn (changes) . Cóng (since) nèi (that) tiān ([day]) kāi·shǐ (opening · beginning) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) chéng·wéi (became · {to be}) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) hé (and) dài·yán·rén (substituting · {to speak} · person) , gēn (with) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) fēi·cháng (un·usually) qīnmì ({was close}) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) tōng·guò (through (adv) · passing) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zuì·hòu (most · afterwards) yí (one) cì (time) xiàng (to) Yǐlì (Eli) xuān·pàn (declared · judging) , shuō (saying) tā (he) kuài·yào (quickly · must) zhí·xíng (grasp · do) duì (towards) Yǐlì (Eli’s) jiā (family) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) le ([indicates a change]) . Qǐ·chū (rising · beginning) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) bù·gǎn (not · {did dare}) bǎ ({to hold}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) gàosu ({to tell}) Yǐlì (Eli) , dàn (but) zuì·hòu (most · afterwards) hái·shi (still · was) gǔ·qǐ (drumming · up) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) duì (to) Yǐlì (Eli) shuō ({to speak}) le ([indicates a change]) , ér (and) Yǐlì (Eli) yě (also) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (-ly) jiēshòu (accepted) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) . Bù·jiǔ (not · {was a long time}) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) suǒ ({those which [he]}) yù·gào (fore·told) de (’s) shì (things) yī·yī (one · one)   (→ [one by one]) yìng·yàn (responded · {produced the expected result}) le ([indicates a change]) . Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) gēn (with) Fēilìshì·rén (Philistine · people) kāi·zhàn ({opened up} · war) , Héfúní (Hophni) hé (and) Fēiníhā (Phinehas) yú (on) tóng (same) yì (one) tiān ([day]) zài (at) zhàn·chǎng (battle·field) shang (upon) bèi ([got]) shā (killed) . Zhì·yú (reaching · to) Yǐlì (Eli) , tā (he) yì (once) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) Yuē·guì (covenant · cabinet)   (→ [Ark of the Covenant]) bèi (by) dí·rén (enemy · people) qiǎng·qù ({had been snatched} · away) , jiù (then) dāng·chǎng (at · {the scene}) dǎo·dì ({fell over to} · {the ground}) shēn·wáng (body · died) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 3:10–18; 4:1–18)

²³ Zài (in) Yǐsèliè (Israel) dì (land) , yuè·lái·yuè ({jumping over} · coming · {jumping over})   (→ [more and more]) duō ({large numbers of}) rén (people) zhīdào ([knew]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) shì (was) ge ([mw]) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) , yīn·wei (because · for) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (say) : “Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǔ (with) tā (him) tóng·zài (together · {was present}) , shǐ (caused) tā (he) suǒ ({those which [he]}) shuō (spoke) de (’s) [yù·yán] ({in advance} · sayings)   (→ [prophecies]) méi·yǒu (not · {to have}) yí (one) jù (sentence) luò·kōng (fall · empty) .” (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 3:19.)

Hū·qiú ({called to} · entreated) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ˄

24. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) tí·chū (raised · out) shénme ([what]) yāo·qiú (demanding · requesting) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tāmen ([they]) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (doing) děng·yú ({was equal} · to) fàn·le ({having committed} · [to completion]) yán·zhòng (severe · heavy) de (’s) zuì (sin) ?

²⁴ Jì·rán (since · -ly) rú·cǐ ({was like} · this) , Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) gēnsuí (followed) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) de (’s) dàilǐng (leading) ne? Tāmen ([they]) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) xiào·fǎ (imitated · {taken as a model}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , xiàng (like) tā (him) nà·yàng (that · [way]) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regarded) gēn (with) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) , bìng (simultaneously) zhōngzhēn (loyal) de (-ly) shì·fèng (served · {attended to}) Shàngdì ([God]) ne? Méi·yǒu (not · had) . Hòu·lái (afterwards · {came [to be]}) , tāmen ([they]) shèn·zhì (greatly · {went to the point of}) bú·yào (not · wanting) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) wèi (for) tāmen ([them]) jué·shì ({to decide} · matters) ‐ duàn’·àn ({to judge} · cases) , ér·shì ({but [rather]} · were) yào (wanting) xiàng ({to be like}) qí·tā (them · besides’) guó·zú (nations · groups) de (’) rén (people) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , yóu (by) yí (one) ge ([mw]) fán·rén (ordinary · person) zuò·wáng (being · king) lái ({to come}) tǒng·zhì ({to command} · {to rule}) tāmen ([them]) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) fúcóng (obeyed) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) zhǐ·shì (pointing · instruction) , dā·ying ({agreed to} · promised) tāmen ([their]) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yāo·qiú (demanding · requesting) . Bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) , tā (he) bìxū (needed) ràng ({to let}) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) zhīdào ([know]) , tāmen ([they]) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (doing) děng·yú ({was equal} · to) fàn·le ({having committed} · [to completion]) yán·zhòng (severe · heavy) de (’s) zuì (sin) , yīn·wei (because · for) tāmen ([they]) suǒ ({he whom [they]}) qì·jué ({were abandoning} · {were cutting off}) de (’s) qí·shí (his · actuality) bú (not) shì (was) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , ér·shì ({but [rather]} · was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ! Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zhào·jí (summoned · assembled) rénmín ({[the] people}) lái·dào ({to come} · to) Jíjiǎ (Gilgal) .

25, 26. Zài (at) Jíjiǎ (Gilgal) , nián·mài (years · aged) de (’s) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) bāngzhù (helped) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) kàn·chū ({to see} · out) zìjǐ (selves) dàdà (greatly) dé·zuì·le ({had gotten} · {sin [against]} · [to completion]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ?

²⁵ Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) zài (at) Jíjiǎ (Gilgal) , qì·fēn (spirit · atmosphere) hěn (very) jǐn·zhāng (tightly · {was stretched})   (→ [was tense]) . Ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) kànkan (see) nián·mài (years · aged) de (’s) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yào (needed) duì (to) mín·zhòng (people · multitude) shuō ({to say}) xiē (some) shénme ([what]) . Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) xiān (first) yì·shù·le (recalled · related · [to completion]) zìjǐ (self) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zhōng·xīn (loyal·-hearted) de (-ly) shì·fèng ({had served} · {had attended to}) Shàngdì ([God]) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) “ hū·qiú ({called to} · entreated) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ”, qiú (asked) tā (him) dǎ·léi ({to strike} · thunder) ‐ jiàng·yǔ ({to make to fall} · rain) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 12:17, 18)

²⁶ Hàn·jì (drought · season) dǎ·léi (striking · thunder) ‐ jiàng·yǔ (falling · rain) ? Jiǎn·zhí (simply · straightly) qián·suǒ·wèi·wén (before · {that which} · {has not} · {been heard}) ! Jiǎ·rú (supposing · {as if}) yǒu (had) rén (people) cháo·xiào (ridiculing · {laughing at}) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) , huò (or) huái·yí (harbouring · doubt) tā de ([his]) hū·qiú (calling · entreating) néng·fǒu (could · {[or] not}) dé·dào (get · {arriving at}) huí·yìng (returned · response) , tāmen ([they]) hěn (very) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) zhīdào ([knew]) zìjǐ (selves) cuò ({were wrong}) le ([indicates a change]) . Hū·rán (sudden·ly) jiān (within) , tiān·kōng (sky · emptiness) wū·yún ({crow [black]} · clouds) mì·bù (densely · spread) , kuáng·fēng (wild · winds) měng (fiercely) chuī (blew) , tián (fields) li (inside) de (’s) mài·zi ({wheat, etc.} · [suf]) dōu (all) bèi ([got]) yā·de (pressed · {getting to be}) dīdī (low) de (’s) . Tiān·shàng (heavens · above) chuán·lái (transmitted · {to come}) zhènzhèn (periodic) léi·shēng (thunder · sounds) , zhèn’·ěr·yù·lóng (shook · ears · {[until] about to} · {be deaf}) ; yǔ (rain) huālālā ([onomatopoeia]) de (-ly) xià·le (fell · [to completion]) qi·lai (up · {to come}) . Mín·zhòng (people · multitude) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · response) ? Tāmen ([they]) “fēi·cháng (un·usually) jù·pà (dreaded · feared) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hé (and) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) ”, yě (also) kàn·chū (saw · out) zìjǐ (selves) dàdà (greatly) dé·zuì·le ({had gotten} · {sin [against]} · [to completion]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . (Sāmǔ’ěrjì Shàng ([1 Samuel]) 12:18, 19)

27. Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) kàn·dài ({looks at} · treats) xiàng (like) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way]) xìn·lài (trust · {rely on}) tā (him) de (’s) rén (persons) ?

²⁷ Lìng (caused) zhèi (this) qún ({group of}) pàn·nì (rebelling · {going against}) de (’s) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) zhī ({to know}) cuò ({were wrong}) de (’s) shì (was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , bú (not) shì (was) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) . Bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) , Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) cóng (from) nián·yòu (years · {were young}) dào (until) nián·lǎo (years · {were elderly}) yì·zhí (one · straight)   (→ [continuously]) duì (towards) Shàngdì ([God]) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) , ér (and) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yě (even) wèi·cǐ (for · this) jiǎngshǎng (rewarded) tā (him) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) cóng (ever) méi·yǒu (not · has) gǎibiàn (changed) , jīn·tiān (present · [day]) réng (still) zài ({is now}) bāngzhù (helping) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) xiàng (like) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) duì (towards) tā (him) yǒu (have) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) de (’s) rén (persons) .